Job description

Title: Program Director, Innovation

Location: Flexible in Canada, virtual/remote

Salary: CA$81,717 - CA$102,146 per year

Smart Prosperity Institute (SPI) is hiring a Program Director to lead the organization’s policy research work on clean innovation. SPI is Canada’s leading green economy research institute and think tank, based at the University of Ottawa. SPI turns world-class research into high impact policy change for clean growth and innovation. Directors work with SPI’s research team, its global network of academic experts, and its civil society and business leaders group on a range of environment-economy research issues, such as: regional clean economic development, green labour and skills policies, developing sustainable and liveable communities, equity and justice issues within environmental policy, and advancing clean growth in Canada’s agricultural sector. In addition to research, the Program Director will be involved in SPI’s events, communications and policy change work.

Position Purpose

This position collaborates on research projects of varying complexity, under general supervision, that will inform decision makers on the development of practical, inclusive, and equitable policies and market-based solutions for a stronger, cleaner economy. The Program Director will be responsible for leading a research team, and research projects, to advance Smart Prosperity Institute and the PLACE Centre’s clean growth and clean innovation agenda. The Program Director is responsible for representing the Institute through thought leadership, advisory services, and leading fundraising and stakeholder relations activities. Projects and research topics will include: Policies to support clean innovation; advancing emerging clusters across the country; skills and labour needs for green jobs; and, identifying issues at the intersection of housing, climate and clean growth.

Accountabilities

Acting as a thought leader and media spokesperson on research topics relevant to your program line to advance the goals of the Institute.
Leading a research program area featuring multiple complex projects on emerging issues, including researching, writing, and producing reports.
Managing a team of Research Associates.
Facilitating the content development and execution of workshops.
Researching, writing, and producing high quality original reports and policy briefs to ensure the Institute becomes a highly visible, credible, and an effective voice.
Experience with knowledge mobilization and managing stakeholder / funder relationships around a particular policy issue with an emphasis on the need to communicate research findings / results to different audiences.
Developing and managing relationships with funders and leading the writing of funding proposals.

Job requirements

Essential Qualifications

A minimum of a Master’s degree in a field related to environment, health, science, or public policy
A minimum of five years experience in research and/or project development
Strong organizational, analytical, and writing skills
Excellent knowledge of research strategies, methodologies, and analytics
Experience developing and delivering presentations or workshops related to research
Sound judgment in applying research methods and ethics.
Ability to summarize and communicate complex research findings to a lay audience

Other Qualifications

Ph.D, in a related field, considered an asset.
Experience managing large research projects, or fundraising proposals, considered an asset.
Experience managing staff and team members, considered an asset.

Please submit your CV and a cover letter that demonstrates how you meet the competencies. The deadline for applications is Friday, March 3rd, 2023, but applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, so apply early. Only applicants who are legally entitled to work in Canada will be considered.